Knowledge Base › Banners & Large Format

What DPI or resolution do banner files need?

Answered by NameBadge.com · Updated August 2026
Vinyl banner artwork should be built at 100 DPI at full print size for close-viewed banners. Because banners are seen from a distance, large-format files (roughly 8 feet and wider) can drop to 72 to 100 DPI without visible loss. Build in CMYK, not RGB, to avoid color shifts.
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Banner resolution is measured in DPI (dots per inch) at the final print size, and unlike small print, banners do not need 300 DPI. The working standard is 100 DPI at full size, which balances sharpness against manageable file size. Because banners are viewed from several feet away, very large banners (about 8 feet wide and up) still read cleanly at 72 to 100 DPI.

How do I set DPI at full size?

If your software cannot handle a full-size document, build the file at a fraction (for example one-quarter scale) and multiply the DPI by the same factor: a 4 foot by 8 foot banner at 25 percent scale needs 400 DPI to equal 100 DPI at full size. Always note the scale on the file.

What color mode should I use?

Build banner art in CMYK, not RGB. Screen RGB colors can shift when printed, so converting up front lets you preview the printed result and prevents dull or off-hue output. Vector art (logos, text) stays crisp at any size, so keep type as vector when possible.

NameBadge prints banners in-house in the USA on Epson SureColor S9170 roll-to-roll printers. See vinyl banners or contact us for a file check before you print.

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